FERNLEY, NV, USA
N45301
CESSNA 150
THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WITH ONE PASSENGER DEPARTED A RURAL GRAVEL AIRSTRIP FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. THE PILOT UTILIZED A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF PROCEDURE BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB AFTER RETRACTING THE AIRPLANE FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE, LOADED WITHIN .3 POUNDS OF ITS GROSS WEIGHT, STARTED TO SETTLE TOWARD RISING TERRAIN AFTER ONLY CLIMBING ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD ABOUT A MILE FROM THE AIRSTRIP AND DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL RESPONDED AND NOTED THAT THE AIRPLANE AND PILOT BORE THE ODOR OF ALCOHOL BEVERAGES. AFTER AN INVESTIGATION, THE PILOT WAS ARRESTED FOR OPERATING AN AIRCRAFT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY ASSESS THE CLIMB PERFORMANCE OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE DUE TO BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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